IT was animal magic all the way when a Tottington-based pets charity staged its annual garden party and open day.

Visitors to the event organised by Pets in Need were able to meet many of the animals cared for by the charity. More than 600 people went to the event at the charity's base at Reynards Bank in Turton Road, Tottington. More than £5,,000 was raised on the day. A number of other animal welfare-related groups had stalls to raise collect money for their own causes.

Mrs Dorothy Maden, who founded Pets in Need in 1990, said: "We care for abandoned animals of any kind and provide shelter for them. We also help with veterinary bills. Among the animals in our care are donkeys, rabbits and goats. We have many cats and kittens at the moment and we need homes for them. We also help with veterinary bills "The garden party and open day was very successful and I was very pleased with the number of people who attended and the amount of money raised.

"We had a barbecue, tombola and a variety of stalls.

" Many other charities were here. We also have a lot of volunteers and we couldn't run things without them."

This Sunday, Pets in Need is staging a grand auction at the same venue. Viewing is at 11am and the auction begins at noon. For more information or to offer a home to a pet telephone 01204 88 3846.